6 ways to fight ageing

When your other half dragged you to Twilight you should have been taking notes, not sleeping. Scientists have discovered that infusions of young blood can reverse ageing effects, improve memory and cognitive performance and even make you quicker at running through a tiny maze. Which is, admittedly, because the experiments have thus far only been conducted on mice. But researchers are optimistic that humans will experience the same effect.

Before you pull a nylon stocking over your head and pop down the nearest blood bank, they’ve also warned that infusions could significantly increase cancer risk. And (possibly) make you allergic to sunlight. Best hold off until trials start in the next few years and, in the meantime, opt for these six less vampiric anti-ageing options instead.

Drink protein shakes

Though at their lumpiest they can seem even less appetising than a pint of haemoglobin, according to Italian research protein shakes can also slow down your cells' ageing process. The amino acids boost your energy-producing mitochondiria, adding up to 12% to your lifespan (nine years for the average man). Add this MH award-winning supplement to your shopping basket for a more palatable anti-ageing beverage.

Up your testosterone

The more candles on your birthday cake, the less testosterone in your blood. Which can bring plummeting muscle mass, enhanced diabetes and even erectile dysfunction. While you can raise your T artificially, it’s a short-term gain; each injection hobbles your body's ability to produce the hormone naturally until, eventually, you’re totally reliant on the jabs. The smarter plan is to cut back on testosterone-sapping booze and start squatting; compound moves at 85% of your 1RM up your testosterone production immediately. Consier your primal growling druing the final set justified.

Splash on grape seed oil

Putting away a couple bottles of red will do no favours for how old you feel. Especially when you’re reduced to hospice-ready mobility the morning after. But the wine-making process also produces something more wrinkle-friendly. Grape seed oil is anti-oxidant packed youth juice used in both grooming products and recipes. Slather it onto your face every morning or get your fill from this youth-enhancing stir fry.

Turn off the stove

Chargrilling your tomatoes and blackening your peppers ups their flavour, but it comes at the expense of face-smoothing antioxidants. Eating your food raw ensures every nutrient goes straight where it should – that’s your skin, not discarded pan water. This anti-ageing salad has B12-packed feta, which accelerates the replacement of dead skin, and nutrient-packed watercress to minimise wrinkles.

Have an egg-stra breakfast

As well as being a potent muscle-builder, getting your eggs helps maintain bone strength and could even slow age-related issues like heart disease and blindness. Smearing butter all over your soldiers isn’t a good bet, though, so opt for one of these health-savvy egg breakfasts, ready in the time it takes your coffee to brew.

Eat your five a day

Meat might be good for your gains, but it’s your choice of sides that ensures you stay looking as young as possible for as long as possible. For the swiftest hit start your day with this smoothie, which packs 24-hours of veggie needs into a single glass, including prostate cancer-killing kale, broccoli to slow cognitive decline and molasses that will smooth out even the craggiest brow. Knock it back, then make sure you remember your ID next time you head to the pub.

Daily Upgrade Newsletter

SIGN UP TO RECEIVE MEN'S HEALTH NEWSLETTERS

We sift through all the day's new research and studies to provide all – and only – what you need to know

Workouts and recipes from the best trainers and nutritionists in the world

Fitness challenges, culture picks, quizzes and everything else you need to make the most of your downtime

Enter your email address:

Please tick if you would prefer not to receive news & special offers from Hearst Magazines UK.
Please tick if you would like to receive news & special offers from selected partners of Hearst Magazines UK
Please tick if you would also like to receive the Men's Health Newsletter
Please tick if you would also like to receive the Men's Health Style Newsletter